Original Halloween Costumes: Let Your Imagination Run Wild!

August 31st, 2009
by admin
doll in a boxEverybody loves to see an original Halloween costume that is different from anything they have seen before. Your challenge is to brainstorm something totally new and fun.  There’s even some great ideas for funny and creative kids costumes!
 
One way I like to approach this kind of creativity is to go on a “research trip”. You can do this on the internet, but I get a lot more creative ideas when I go to actual stores and see different items. I especially like thrift stores because there are often items there that you can’t find anywhere else.
 
I wander around the store looking at clothes and accessories, house wares, shoes, hats – until something catches my eye – and that’s when the crazy creative process starts. I call it my “Inspiration Item”.
 
pigs in a blanketMaybe it’s a weird pair of shoes, or an interesting kitchen utensil, or a crazy hat. Then I keep wandering around finding more things that seem to go with the Inspiration Item or give me further inspiration.
This is a really fun creative process, and you never quite know where it will take you. Sometimes it’s totally serendipitous, and sometimes you actually have a “seed idea”. Either way – you know you’re going to be totally original!
 
Remember, you are looking for costume pieces, shoes, hats, props, and accessories.
 
Fabric stores and Hardware stores are other places where I find lots of cool stuff. Craft Stores & Dollar Stores too!  The process is to start at one side of the store, and go up and down each and every aisle – looking at every single thing with new and creative eyes.  Dryer tubing?  Wire mesh?  Iron on tape?  Colorful paper plates?  I’m getting excited just thinking about it!  Where’s my glue gun?
 
Here’s a few tips to go with this process.
  •  Don’t be in a rush. Those little gems are out there. You just have to take your time and look at everything with new eyes.
  • Be in a good mood. Creativity can’t flourish if you have a negative attitude, or if you are with people who are super critical. If you’re cranky, you probably need chocolate!
  • Eat first. I always do better after I’ve eaten (ties into the good mood thing). I feel happy and ready for fun. Again, with the chocolate.
  • Don’t bring annoying family members who are bound to ask, “Are we done yet, can we go now?”  They’re a real buzz-kill.  As are the “critical” friends or family members.

bun in the ovenWhen I was younger Halloween was a huge deal in my household; as was having the best costume on the block. Luckily my mother could design and sew anything my imagination could come up with.

Now while not everyone has crafty parents there are plenty of ways to have an original & creative Halloween costume that hasn’t been done yet. First we are going to need an idea of what you want to be. Halloween is the only night of the year where you can dress up from a Doctor or a Marshmallow so let your imagination go wild. You don’t need to go out and spend lots of money to get a great costume either. Just by even looking around your house you will be surprised at what can pop up.

If you still find yourself in the dark, finding cheap arts and craft stores isn’t very hard, even dollar stores have great finds; you just have to know where to look. The rest is up to you!

You just need to think of an original idea that will make everyone think you have the best costume on the block. Even recreating common costume can make you the talk of the town. I had a friend once tell me that when he was a kid his family had a tortoise shell that they had found and kept, and one year when he wanted to be a ninja turtle for Halloween he was allowed to wear the actually shell and everyone thought it was the coolest thing.

You can even get friends and family in on the costume making to help refine your ideas; all you need is a little creativity and you are ready to go.  You can even go ahead and do something completely outrageous!  You can make every Halloween a memorable one.

 Go Shopping!  Go Crazy!  Go Halloween Fun!

Here’s some other fun websites that I have found.  This one has a whole list of Unique and Weird Ideas.  Just in case you forgot to get a costume, here’s some quick ideas for those last-minute people.  You know who you are! 

How about these creative ideas for teens, made from a simple bedsheet.  And here’s some cute stuff for kids.  This site has a dozen great ideas, complete with directions for everything.

 

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